Wastebaskets: Pails Without Style Look Trashy

Little things mean a lot when it comes to decorating and even something as seemingly innocuous as a wastebasket can affect how stylish your home looks – or doesn’t look.

A wire wastebasket is functional and looks stylish.

Based on my professional experience I have been surprised to see how many people have white rubber pails on display in their bedrooms, home offices and in rooms besides kitchens; clients who otherwise have chic accessories throughout their houses and apartments. In their defense, most have explained that they didn’t realize there were so many on-trend alternatives.

White rubber pails are perfect for kitchens and garages. Period.

If you have one of those little rubber numbers and would like to give your home a more sophisticated look without spending a lot of money, consider an elegant wastebasket (or two) that coordinates with your color scheme and decor. There are lots of pails in a variety of finishes that can add polish and panache to your rooms: bamboo, leather, wire and hammered metal styles, to name a few.

A decorative wastebasket can add a lot of style to any room. (photo courtesy Houzz.com)

A chrome pail will look good in most bathrooms.

White rubber pails certainly have their place: under sinks, out of sight, in kitchens. Anywhere else? Not for this redecorator’s clients and friends. If I’m going to be really honest (as Simon Cowell likes to say): I think they look like garbage.